‘Thing’ preems at Universal

Eli Roth, Marilyn Manson onhand for screening

Halloween got an early start Monday night as horror fans came out for Universal’s premiere of “The Thing” at Universal City Walk. Before the screening, helmer Eli Roth and rocker Marilyn Manson were seen talking shop with Platinum Dunes execs Brad Fuller and Andrew Form.

After the premiere, guests relived the film at Universal Studio’s haunted maze, a replica from the pic, before heading to Jillian’s Arcade for the afterparty, where the scary preamble didn’t put the film’s star, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, off enjoying a slice of pizza.

“Thing” director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. said he wanted his version to be different from the Howard Hawks-produced 1951 pic, but liked the original’s sense of claustrophobia.

“I have always been a fan of isolated thrillers, and in a film like this, you are searching with the characters, and that really allows the audience to feel like they are a part of the film,” he said.

Also seen making the rounds were “Breaking Bad’s” Aaron Paul and director Peter Berg.